Cooling of liquids and containers therefor



April 17, 1962 F. J. BEEVIS COOLING 0F LIQUIDS AND CONTAINERS THEREFOR Filed July '7, 1959 Inven'for Frederick J' hn BeeVI S Af'forneys Ultd 3,029,616 COGLINF: F LIQUEDS AND CONTADIERS THEREFOR Frederick John Beevis, Hove, England, assignor to Perfection Steriliser Company Limited, London, England, a corporation of Great Britain I Filed July 7, 1959, Ser. No. 825,448 Claims priority, application Great Britain July 9, 1958 6 Ciairns. (Cl. 62381) This invention concerns the cooling of liquids and their containers, and in particular the cooling of such liquids when they are contained in containers which would, it suddenly subjected to a large temperature change, crack or break. Examples of such containers are bottles and jars.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method whereby the cooling of liquids and their containers can be accelerated without incurring the risk of breakage or cracking of the containers.

According to the present invention, a method of cooling liquids in containers comprises the steps of placing the containers in a shielded cooler, directing a current of cold air onto the containers from substantially directly above the cooler Whilst continuously so moving the containers that diiierent parts thereof are successively turned towards the cold air.

Preferably the cooler is rotated about an axis substantially at right-angles to the direction of flow of the cold air.

I have found it convenient to use air as the cooling medium.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing illustrating part of an arrangement for cooling in accordance with the invention.

A cooler made in accordance with the invention comprises a cylindrical open structure conveniently made from spaced-apart substantially horizontally disposed tubular longitudinal members 10 held in position by circular spaced-apart frame members 11. Some of the frame members 11 are located on rollers 12 which are carried by frameworks 13. The cooler is capable of being rotated about its longitudinal axis by a suitable drive 14 from an electric or like motor contained within a housing 15. 7

Above the cooler is a shroud 16 which has therein three powerful fans 17 which enable a current of cold air (which may be at room temperature, or in some cases refrigerated) to be blown onto the cooler. The sides of the apparatus are formed by screens B, only the screen in the rear of the cooler being shown which are positioned to allow a stream of air to enter at the bottom and escape from the region adjacent the shroud 16.

3,929,616 Patented Apr. 1 7, 1 962 A roller conveyor 18 is provided in the cooler and above this is located a grill 19 which, in use, prevents the containers from falling olf the conveyor 18 as the cooler rotates.

In use, containers (e.g. bottles) having a hot liquid therein are loaded into the cooler and the latter is set into motion. Hot air rising from the containers is met by a current of cold air caused by the fans and a cushion is formed between the containers and the cold air. This prevents the bottles from experiencing a large thermal shock whilst the total effect is one of cooling. Obviously, the cushion is cooled by the cold air and the containers and their contents are cooled. Dififerential contraction of the bottles is prevented by the rotary motion imparted thereto and thus breakage of the containers is avoided.

I find that it is possible to reduce the temperature of the containers from 246 F. to F. in a matter of 15 minutes as opposed to three to four hours when cooling naturally or 45 minutes when using a liquid as the cooling medium.

I claim:

1. A cooling unit for liquids in containers comprising an inclined body having spaced longitudinal frame members, spaced circular frame members around said longitudinal members and secured thereto, said body being open at top and bottom, means for rotating said body, means in the central part of said body for holding containers, a shroud at the top of said body, a source of cold air in said shroud for providing a stream downwardly through said body, said stream meeting an upward convection current of hot air, and means at the opposite ends of said body for inlet and outlet of said containers.

2. A cooling unit according to claim 1 characterized in that a roller conveyor is provided inside said body, said containers being carried on said conveyor.

3. A cooling unit according to claim 1 characterized in that said source of air is a plurality of fans.

4. A cooling unit according to claim 1 characterized in that said tubular members are circular and said longitudinal members are parallel to each other.

5. A cooling unit according to claim 1 characterized in that a grill is attached to said body to prevent said containers from falling oit of said conveyor.

6. A cooling unit according to claim 1 characterized in that screens are provided at the sides of said cooler.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,247,575 Stefani July 1, 194-1 2,284,270 Elberts et a1 May 26, 19 2 2,529,439 Whitrnore Nov. 7, 1950 

